Question

Which of the following is not true for species
(a) Members of species can interbreed
(b) Each species is reproductively isolated from every other species
(c) Gene flow does not occur between the population of species
(d) Variations occur among members of species

Answer 1

For the process of evolution to occur, there should be a sharing of genetic material between the individuals. This flow of DNA and RNA from one species to another result in the evolution of new species.

Complete answer:
The biological concept of species explained by Buffon states that species are groups of interbreeding organisms that share a common gene pool and they produce fertile offspring. They are considered a group of individuals who are isolated from the individuals of other species reproductively, they share the same ecological niche, they show similarity in karyotype, similar structure, and functional characteristics are seen in the species. In a population of species, gene flow occurs between them.

Additional Information: - The basic unit of classification where the individuals share a common gene pool and produce fertile offspring are called species.
- It occurs in many interbreeding groups called populations.
- The geographically isolated population of species, which shows some minor variations from the parent population but are capable of interbreeding with the individuals of other subspecies of the same species are called subspecies and are considered as makers of new species.
- For making the new species, there should be a flow of genes between the populations of species
So, the correct answer is ‘ Gene flow does not occur between the population of species’.

Note: -Species is derived from a Latin word meaning ‘a kind’ or ‘appearance’
-In the book, Historia Generalis Plantarum written by John Ray used the term species. He described it on the basis of common descent as a group of morphologically similar organisms.
-The idea of the evolution of species came from the book Natural history written by Buffon.